Ortega: A suggestion to seamlessly re-open Old Town Scottsdale

Some may say that the governor’s COVID-19 directive is threading the needle or criticize Mayor Lane’s comments. Everyone is doing their best.

Please consider these suggestions to do everything possible to make the May 11 reopening of downtown Scottsdale successful.

At Fashion Square, Promenade, Scottsdale Quarter and other shopping centers, landlord management sets CDC compliant measures, because they are on private property. Many landlords have a COVID-19 circulation and personal protection plans.

In Old Town, the city must also have a plan so that businesses’ reopening can work. We have less than seven days to prepare. Please take action
to configure designated curbside pick-up spaces.

Old Town is designed for in-dining and casual walk-around shopping. As you know, drive-thrus are prohibited in the Central Business District. But carryout is now part of many business operations.

Block by block, city staff can work with merchants and restaurant owners. Designated pick-up spaces could be marked with reflective traffic cones and signage.

Temporary spaces would likely be in front of a restaurant or shared between restaurants on the same block, but avoid corner blockage. Locations can be reevaluated bimonthly. Also, business owners and employees should park at a public lot farthest away, to free up customer parking.

Many bars and restaurants have gutted seating areas to reconfigure their seating capacity at 50% or less. Their new business model will stretch each dining period into three sittings, like on a cruise ship. So parking usage may become steady stream, rather than peak and valley.

Perhaps the chamber or tourism office will promote colored masks which tell the world “I shopped in Scottsdale!”

Editor’s Note: David Ortega is a Scottsdale resident and candidate for the mayor’s seat in the Aug. 4 primary election.